A.Up to this point in our study of
I Thessalonians, Paul has been discussing some very broad topics.

B.He has only issued a few
commands to the church.

1.Love one another (I Thess. 3:12; 4:9-10)

2.Be holy (I Thess. 4:3, 7)

3.Mind your own business (I Thess. 4:11)

4.Live seemly among those in the world (I Thess.
4:12).

C.Paul now enters into a section
where he will set forth numerous commands.

D.Tonight, we will be looking at I
Thessalonians 5:12-15. We have entitled this section: “Obligations to
Others.”

I.RESPONSIBILITIES TO RULERS (I THESS. 5:12-13)

And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour
among you and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them
very highly in love for their works’ sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

A.Those to whom the Thessalonians were responsible in
these verses are described as “those which labour among you” and as those who
“are over you in the Lord.”

1.These words describe those group of man known as
elders, bishops, or shepherds over the local congregation.

2.They labor because they have a work to do (I Tim.
3:1).

This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a
bishop, he desireth a good work.

3.These men are over the saints of the local
congregation.

a.The Scriptures refer to them as overseers (Acts
20:28; I Pet. 5:2).

b.In I Timothy 5:17, it is said that the elders are to
rule.

B.Here, the church is given three obligations to the
elders.

1.They are to HAVE REGARD for them – “to know them
which labour among you.”

a.To know

1)This word means “to see, to turn the mind toward, to
pay attention to, to get a knowledge of, to understand.”

2)This understanding leads the flock to cherish their
leaders and to have a deep regard for them.

b.Some members of the church barely know the elders.

1)If they know them, it is only in a church setting.

2)Getting to know them involves spending some time
with them (i.e., invite them over, ask them to go out to eat).

2.They are to have A RESPECT for the elders – “esteem
them very highly in love.”

a.To esteem them means to hold them up as the ones who
govern and command.

1)One of their tasks is to watch for the souls of the
flock (Heb. 13:17).

2)This task alone is worthy of our honor.

b.They are to be esteemed “very highly.” This mean
“over and above,” “exceedingly abundantly,” and “more than necessary.”

c.This esteem is to be wrapped in a blanket of love.

1)This is agape love.

2)It is a sincere, supreme, sacrificial love.

3.The congregation is to do all they can do TO RETAIN
PEACE – “and be at peace among yourselves.”

a.Members who are at war with each other drain the
energy, enthusiasm, and precious time from the eldership.

b.Bickering, feuding, and strife needs to be put away
from every member of the church.

II.COMMITMENTS TO FELLOW CHRISTIANS (I Thess. 5:14)

Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly,
comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.